"Fleeting Gallop"

"Fleeting Gallop", oil on linen, 24x28 

As part of my new equine series, I have been exploring the abstract concepts of painting, while remaining sensitive to the majestic qualities of this magnificent animal.

The Horse is the perfect sentient creature on which to lavish painterly attention while exploring many of the God-created things on this earth that I love.  It's a tribute to my horseman father and a rekindling of a childhood affinity.

When I sculpt this great and beautiful animal in paint, my paintbrush captures only one expression of its myriad of attitudes.

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Good news for all of you who are taking on new challenges this year!  The great people at Swinton's tell me that there are still spots open in my weekend oil painting workshop,  "Painting the Portrait, from Life and from a Photo".

Feb. 2 & 3, 2013, Swinton's Art Supply & Instruction - to register

Hope you'll join me for this fun-filled (ok, and challenging)  workshop! Beginners (with a little experience) are welcome, too!

Fermenting the New You!

(Probiotic) Lacto-Fermented Veggies

My family and friends know that I am passionate about  good health through healthy eating.  I'd like to share with you one of the best ideas I've come across -  Lacto-Fermented Veggies - which has now become an important part of my family's everyday diet.

If you're bent on restoring or improving your health in 2013, (well, who isn't), you'll find these fermented veggies an inexpensive and healthy addition to boost your nutrition and immune system.. And they're delicious, too.  I'm hooked.

I came across this idea of fermented vegetables, the ancient way of preserving vegetables for the winter,  several months ago and did a little research into the benefits for the purposes of adding a probiotic to my diet.  Many of you are already familiar with probiotics - the essential element to a healthy 'gut' and to our overall health. 

I've provided a link to a wonderful website that I discovered which has a short video on 'how-to' make the Lacto-Fermented Veggies (without whey) and also outlines the multiple benefits to your health that comes in eating them. (see link below)

My own list of health improvements, in a few short months,  include a renewal in energy, I awaken feeling refreshed, a clear head, my skin ailments have disappeared or are disappearing.  Sometimes symptoms are improving that are not even on the radar.  Such as a friend who is preparing and eating the veggies in particular for a skin ailment and found that her hair loss had diminished. I realized mine had, too! People report improvements in food cravings, headaches, and other more serious symptoms which are considered to stem from an unhealthy gut.

 

 My husband and I spent yesterday morning preparing this beautiful bounty of vegetables, including sauerkraut, which will be ready for us to eat in a week.  It is a wonderful feeling to see these beautiful jars lined up on my counter!  It is so easy!  And, so delicious.

Here is the link to The Whole Life Nutrition Kitchen where you'll find a very cool video by a very smart guy  on 'How To Make Lacto Fermented Vegetables without Whey (Plus Video).  

From my kitchen ... to yours :)   Now, back to the studio ....